The Grand County Middle School cross country team has had an energetic and productive season this fall. The team of 10 runners has not only run personal bests throughout the season, but has had great finishes in meets all over the region, according to the team’s coaches.

“The girls team of Kianna Chacon, Emmy Heywood, Auburn Jackman and Kaylan Young has ... shown great strides in their running abilities,” coach Trish Hedin said.

Chacon recently took third place in the female division of the Moab Autumn 5k, and placed 10th overall in the event. Heywood has placed in the top 10 in the first three meets. She had a seventh-place finish in Monticello, a sixth-place finish in Blanding and placed seventh among the middle school competitors at the recent Red Rock Invitational meet in Moab on Sept. 25. Jackman also placed in the top 10 in the home meet and had an eighth-place finish overall.

The boys team, comprised of Alex Lacy, Ryan Lewis, Tyler Moreau, Braxten Pierce, Ryan Reed and Kane Scherer, is gaining momentum as the season has progressed, the coaches said.

Pierce made a great showing at the Moab Autumn 5k, placing fourth in the male division and taking eighth place overall. He took ninth place in his division at the Red Rock Invitational.

Lewis has also had a strong season, sprinting to a third-place finish in Monticello and impressing both the crowd and other runners at the Red Rock Invitational with a first-place finish in his division and setting a new course record in extremely windy conditions.

The final meet for the Thunderbirds will take place in Blanding at the John Thornton Invitational on Oct. 9. The boys race will begin at 3:30 p.m. at the College of Eastern Utah Campus and the girls race will begin right after the boys start.

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